21 Awesome Things To Do in Glen Rose, Texas.
Are you looking for awesome things to do in Glen Rose, Texas?
Imagine walking or dancing with the dinosaur. Or, kayaking down the river, strolling to the 19th century, and ending the day with star gazing.
But that’s not all! There are more awesome things to do in Glen Rose, the Dinosaur Capital of Texas, waiting for you.
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Where is Glen Rose?
Glen Rose is a small town in the southwest of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.
If traffic is light, you will arrive here after an hour’s drive from Fort Worth. How far is Glen Rose from Dallas? It’s about 1,5 hours from central Dallas. It makes a fun destination for a day trip from Fort Worth and Dallas.
If you drive from Austin, it will be 2,5 hours. From Houston will be the longest, that is 5 hours. Cleburne and Stephenville are the closest bigger cities to Glen Rose.
21 Awesome Things To Do in Glen Rose, Texas.
Admittedly, it’s the dinosaur tracks that attract people to visit Glen Rose Texas.
But Glen Rose is not only about dinosaur tracks. There are other cool things to do in Glen Rose when you visit this quaint little town in the southwest of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. From outdoors to history and food to shop, everyone in the family will have fun in Glen Rose.
Here are the awesome things to do in Glen Rose TX:
1. Dancing with the Dinosaurs at Dinosaur Valley State Park
Visiting Dinosaur Valley State Park is the number one thing to do in Glen Rose. Every visitor in town wants to look for dinosaur tracks.
More than one hundred dinosaur tracks spread in the riverbed. But, they are not always visible, particularly during the rainy season.
In the summer of 2022, they found the longest dinosaur trail in North America. They named it the Lone Ranger Trail.
The best time to see the tracks is the end of summer when the water volume is low.
The Ballroom has so many dinosaur tracks that face different directions. Walking there feels like dancing with the dinosaurs.
When you visit mid to end of May, you can swim at The Blue Hole to find the tracks. Sometimes you can do it in July, depending on the water volume.
2. Stargazing at Dinosaur Valley State Park
Dinosaur Valley State Park is working toward the dark sky park in Texas. They conduct monthly Star Party, where stargazer professionals set up their high-end telescopes for visitors to enjoy the night sky.
Do you want to see millions of stars, planets, and the Milky Way from Glen Rose? Summer is the best time. I went to the one in September, and I got to see the Milky Way! Look for the Star Party dates on the Dinosaur Valley State Park Facebook page.
There will be a night crawler program before the stargazing. But you don’t have to do this easy hike to join the Star Party.
3. Hiking, biking, or running at the Dinosaur Valley State Park
Dinosaur Valley State Park is one of the favorite state parks near Dallas for hikers. It has some elevation, especially the one across the river. I enjoy hiking here with my dog. Depending on the water volume, sometimes I got to see the only waterfall in the park. It’s a little cascade on the Buckeye Trail.
Sometimes I saw people carrying their bicycles across the Paluxy River. There are Dorba Trails that bikers share with hikers and runners.
If you like running, every third weekend in November is the Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run.
4. Horse riding at Dinosaur Valley State Park
Do you know that you can bring your horse and ride it in Dinosaur Valley State Park? There is a 100-acre area for you and your horse to explore. Bring a bucket to give your horses water from the river.
If you don’t have a horse, Eagle Eye Ranch Carriage Company offers equestrian services in the park, from guided horseback riding to horse-drawn wagon rides and wrangler-assisted trail rides for children 3 to 14 years old.
5. Jumping to the natural swimming hole
Blue Hole is the famous swimming hole in Dinosaur Valley State Park. On January 1st, people like to take the challenge of plunging into the Blue Hole in the cold.
The water around the Main Track Site is a favorite place for families with little children in the summertime. They like to pitch their canopy along Rock Beach. So, bring your swimsuits when visiting in the warmer season.
Read more: 17 Fun Things To Do At Dinosaur Valley State Park
6. Roaming with the Dinosaurs at the Dinosaur World
As I mentioned above, people come to Glen Rose first for the dinosaur tracks. So, it was perfect when Dinosaur World opened in Glen Rose.
Here you will find more than 100 life-size dinosaurs. Each dinosaur has a sign about its name, the type of dinosaur, when it exists, and when it roamed.
You can find the dinosaurs along a winding walkway. It feels like you roam with the dinosaurs when you walk there.
Other things you can do at the Glen Rose Dinosaur Park are panning for gems, digging for fossils, and visiting a small educative museum at the corner of the park. There’s also a playground and picnic area, where you can enjoy a sandwich lunch you bring from home.
Dogs are always welcome, but make sure they are on a leash all the time.
Dinosaur World is a fun place for the entire family, especially the little ones who like dinosaurs.
Before you leave, don’t forget to look around the gift shop. There are so many dinosaur and fossil-related items here. I think we always came home with something from the park store.
Dinosaur World is handicapped-accessible.
7. Going on a safari at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
For those who dream of going on a safari in Africa, check out Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. You will see more than 1,000 animals from 50 species here. You can drive your vehicle through their 7.2-mile scenic drive or enjoy a guided tour in one of their buses or vans.
The Glen Rose Safari is an animal conservation facility. Its primary objective is to help preserve endangered species. So, expect not to see all animals during your visit. Like giraffes and rhinos, you won’t see them when the temperature is below 50F.
But pets aren’t allowed at all at the center. You can’t even leave them in the car. Fortunately, there are veterinarians in the city that offer boarding services. Just make sure you call them ahead of time.
Another cool thing is this center has accommodations inside the park. You can choose from staying in the Lodge, cabins, or bunkhouses.
8. Kayaking or tubing on the Brazos River
Kayaking, tubing, or canoeing are pretty much relaxing here. The water volume in the river is mostly depending on the releasing from the dam. You can bring your own equipment or rent them from the rentals near the river.
A lot of people bring their drinks to enjoy while doing these water activities. Besides, it’s very important to stay hydrated when you do outdoor activities under the Texas heat.
You can find the rentals a few miles before you enter Glen Rose from Cleburne. Just before the bridge.
9. Understanding the science behind creation at the Creation Evidence Museum
It is a place where you can learn and understand the scientific and Biblical principles of the earth. You will find scientific evidence and exhibit displays of the world’s creation that support Biblical creation.
Every year in the summer, they conduct a week of excavations. You will dig for fossils at the Paluxy River from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Then in the evening, from 6 – 7 p.m., there will be a special Creation lecture in the museum.
10. Having Fun at Wheeler Branch Park and Reservoir
Other fun things to do near Glen Rose TX are fishing, swimming, and rowing at Wheeler Branch Reservoir. Bring your canoe, kayak, or open-hull john boats.
Wheeler Branch is also a place for scuba diving.
They charge an entrance fee, and you must bring exact change.
11. Tee Times at Squaw Valley Golf Course
Are you looking for things to do in TX this weekend? Consistently rated as one of the top courses in the state, including a 4 1/2 star rating from Gold Digest Magazine, Squaw Valley is perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway. Its location is 60 miles southwest of the DFW Metroplex.
12. Explore the Sommerville County Museum
The Somervell County Museum has local history pieces on display. Fossils, antiques, clothing, and tools from centuries ago are some of them. Recently, they got a donation of Mammoth and Mastodon bones from a private collector.
There is no fee to visit the museum, but they accept donations. Or, buy a fossil or rocks from the museum.
You can find this Glen Rose TX points of interest at the corner of the downtown square.
Free Things to Do in Glen Rose TX
13. Cooling off at Big Rocks Park
Talking about Glen Rose attractions, unusual large rocks filled this park by the Paluxy River. It is a fun place for the climb, jumping, exploring, and playing for everyone in the family. Visitors also enjoy swimming and cooling off from the Texas heat at this park. Some people prefer to sunbathe in the summer.
It’s one of the free things to do in Glen Rose, but it is closed when it’s flooding.
One other thing, don’t come when it’s just raining. The water is usually muddy. I felt sorry when I saw the disappointment in my son’s eyes the day we went there after the rain.
14. Strolling Historic Courthouse Square
Historic Downtown Square is where the heart of small-town America. And so does Glen Rose.
The Courthouse stands in the middle of the square, with a bronze statue at the front. It will catch your attention right away.
The bronze statue is titled “Barnard’s of the Brazos – First Family of Glen Rose.” It is a tribute to Charles and Juana Barnard, the founding patriarchs of Glen Rose.
You will find gift stores, restaurants, a county museum, an art gallery, and other businesses around the square. It is not that big compared to the neighboring county seats, Cleburne and Stephenville. And within easy walking distance, you will find a historic inn in town.
But, what I like most about strolling around the Historic Courthouse Square is finding the old buildings. Venture one to two blocks away to see more of them. Just look for the Glen Rose Landmark sign.
The square also hosts a farmers market, car show, wine & arts festival, and other things annually.
15. Relaxing along the Paluxy Riverwalk
Take a relaxing walk along the Paluxy River that connects Big Rocks Park to Heritage Park.
The city built the riverwalk on the south side of the river. If you start from Big Rocks Park, take a sidewalk that leads to a weir. After you cross the weir (unless high water prevails after heavy rain), follow the sidewalk to Heritage Park. It’s an easy walk, and you can take a break on benches found along the way.
There are lights along the river walk. So you can enjoy it both during the day and at night. It is a pretty walk.
16. Going back to the 19th century at Heritage Park
Another place to learn about the history of Glen Rose is Heritage Park. You will find houses built in the mid-1800s and a one-room school here. It’s interesting to learn about the family who lived in those houses and how life was in Glen Rose around those years.
It’s a tiny park a few blocks from the square, but they will bring you back one to two centuries ago.
In addition to its historic buildings, you will find a playground, a picnic pavilion, and a restroom in this park.
And a walkway to Paluxy River Walk will take you to Big Rocks Park.
17. Back to prohibition era at the Outlaw Station
It is a service station built in the 1920s. At one point, they sold more moonshine than gasoline.
Rumor has it that Bonnie and Clyde were regular customers here.
But when you stop, you will not even be able to get gas. What is left is the ruin, and it is petrified wood. It looks interesting, and people use this place for photo shooting.
Getting here is easy. When you come from Cleburne, find the Exxon gas station on the left. Make a left before the station, follow the road, and the Outlaw Station will be on your right-hand side. It’s just a few yards from Exxon.
18. Admiring American Indian and Oriental Arts at Barnard’s Mill & Art Museum
Barnard’s Mill & Art is a little museum in Glen Rose. You will find oriental and American Indian arts and artifacts collections here. It is also showcasing temporary paintings and drawings from local competitions. Its location is a few blocks from the square.
What I like here is the museum building itself. It is part of the historic Barnard’s Mill, the first permanent structure in the Glen Rose area.
When you visit, don’t forget to check out the building at the back and go to the second floor. It’s beautiful inside! You can rent this part of the museum for your private event. And when you walk outside, you will find the mill.
19. Shopping in Glen Rose
A few stores around the square have cute and unique clothes, jewelry, cooking utensils, seasonal items, and antiques.
If you want to buy gifts, go to Cheerful Heart Gifts & Boutique. Paisley Reese is for cool cowgirl-chic stuff. If you like books and antiques, go to Lost In Time Antiques To Boutiques and Bone-anza Barn: Book and Antiques.
White Buffalo Gallery represents art pieces created by the nationally acclaimed sculptor, painter, and Glen Rose resident Robert Summers.
20. Pig out at Loco Coyote Grill
I always suggested this restaurant when someone asked about the best eating place in Glen Rose. They serve delicious food in a family-friendly countryside hub. You can check out their monster burgers, BBQ, chicken fried steak, and more. I can’t eat there without an order of onion rings.
Loco Coyote Grill reminded me of Luckenbach in the Texas Hill Country. They are also dog-friendly.
Their hours are Thursday to Sunday. Expect a long wait line when you get there around noon.
21. Eating at Other Glen Rose Restaurants
After spending time in Dinosaur Valley, stop at Shoo-Fly Soda Shop in the square for some milkshakes. Next door is Pie Peddler if you crave some pie.
I like pastries from Crave Bakery. Their size is perfect for a light lunch after a hike.
The cheeseburger at the Green Pickle Grill is a bit greasy, but I like it. I also enjoyed my Chopped Brisket Baked Potato from Sexton Mill. But I found their queso a bit watery.
Visit the Glen Rose CVB website for more restaurant ideas.
Where to stay in Glen Rose?
Glen Rose has plenty of accommodations. You can choose from hotel to cabin, B&B to Airbnb, and RV Park to camping in the park, whichever suits your style. Because we live about half an hour from Glen Rose, we have never spent a night here.
But here is the list of recommended hotels if you decide to spend a few nights in town:
Country Woods Inn. It is a cabin-style family-friendly accommodation less than a mile from downtown and just five miles from Dinosaur Valley State Park. They have dog-friendly cabins.
Inn On The River. A dog-friendly hotel in a historic Texas landmark with a great breakfast and onsite restaurant. Within walking distance from downtown and about five miles from Dinosaur Valley. You can kayak on the Paluxy River from the hotel’s backyard.
Live Oak B&B: a beautiful B&B that offers vegetarian, vegan, and American buffet breakfast. Near downtown and just a few miles from Dinosaur Valley, but not pet-friendly.
PriceHouseInn: a turn-of-the-century bed and breakfast within 4 minutes’ walking distance of the square. It is dog-friendly.
La Quinta by Wyndham Glen Rose
Our final thought on awesome things to do in Glen Rose
We like the variety of awesome things to do in Glen Rose, so we visited often. The fact that we live closer is an additional value. Still, there are other places and things we haven’t seen or done yet. I will add them to the list, one at a time after we make more trips to Glen Rose.
How about you? Have you been to Glen Rose? What are the awesome things in Glen Rose that you’ve done? Do you have any suggestions for me to try or visit? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
Whow very exciting article, thank you
I’d never heard of Glen Rose before I read this post and I’m fascinated. I’d love to see the dinosaur tracks and looks like there are lots of other things to do as well.
Make sure to put Glen Rose in your itinerary on your next trip to Texas. 🙂
I had no idea that there is a dinosaur capital in Texas – thanks so much for this! I’d enjoy kayaking on the Brazos River too.
Now that you know, don’t forget to put Glen Rose in your itinerary when you come to Texas. 😉
My kids LOVE dinosaurs. They would seriously freak out visiting Glen Rose. Clearly must add this to our family travel bucket list. Thank you so much for the tip!
I hardly find kids who don’t like dinosaurs. Your kiddos will love this town.
Wow, this post is like made to me.. ha ha! I love to explore everything about dinosaurs in the U.S. When I first moved here I thought it was amazing that you could actually see real dinosaur tracks in the nature. We went to see some in Utah. I didn’t know they have some in Texas too. Will definitely read even more about these parks and this will go on my travel list ASAP. Thanks for showing this place to me!
Isn’t it amazing? I’ve never seen one until I moved to the U.S., too! We see lots of fossils all over the U.S., but not the tracks. I hope one day you will find yourself in Glen Rose.
Great post!! Anything with dino is a yes from me. I have never been drawn to Texas before, and honestly I didn’t know much about it anyway. Thanks for letting us know that the summer time is the best time to visit, I might plan my trip to Texas soon someday in the future soon.
Thank you, Daniel! It’s great that I got to give you more information about the U.S., especially Texas.
I never knew about Glen Rose but reading your post now makes me interested in this little town. Good to know that Glen Rose is a small town located in the southwest of Dallas and Fort Worth. Dancing and roaming with the Dinosaurs at Dinosaur Valley State Park would be the most lovely thing to do for me as I am a family traveler and therefore my kids would love it. The colorful and vibrant mural of welcome sign in this town depicting dinosaurs looks very inviting.
Everything dinosaur attracts a lot of people. In fact, I went hiking to the Dinosaur Valley SP this morning because the weather turned nice after a week of below normal, and lots of people there. Looking for the tracks and roaming around.
This excites me on so many levels! I’m really interested in Bonnie and Clyde and to know that they might have been customers at the service station makes me want to check it out. It almost reminds me of a scene from Boardwalk Empire which also took place during the Prohibition Era. My son is very young but loves all things dinosaurs, this dinosaur park looks AMAZING. What a unique way to spend a day!
I would say Glen Rose is a family town. So yeah, parents and children will enjoy their visit here.
Wow I have never heard of this place and to think a 9 year old started it all. It looks like a wonderful place to spend a day and I am sure kids would have such a blast seeing the life size dinosaur replicas. Now I know where to go the next time I am in Texas. Thanks for the info!
I actually just visited the park again for a hike this morning. Families were walking to the tracks and tried to find new ones, and kids were amazed with the life-size dinosaur models. It’s a wonderful day!
Wow this is a blast from the past!! I went here when I was in elementary school and had forgotten all about it. We went with another family and we all had so much fun! We might have to make a trip there again now that I have a little guy! Thanks for the reminder!
You should come back! Your little guy will love it!
this places that I had never heard off seems really nice and completely off-the-beaten track! One of my friend is currently driving around the US in his van and I know he will be in Texas next week. I’ll share this blog with him as I am sure he will love visiting Glen Rose! I mean, how cool is it to find Dinosaurs’ footprints!!! that can’t be missed 🙂
Thank you, Jenny! Texas is very big though. I hope he will make a turn to North Texas.
First of all, I love that welcome mural with the Dino & Texas! Gives the vibe of the town immediately!
Getting to see dino tracks would be mesmerizing. Thanks for the tip about when to visit the place. It would be a bummer if we go all the way there only to know the water flow is too much to see the tracks!
Outlaw station looks so picturesque. I’d definitely want to do a photoshoot here. My daughter would have an amazing time at the Big Rocks park! Looks super cool!
You’re right about the mural! It tells about the town right away. And yes, it’s good to give the park a call before you leave. You never know when it’s covered by water or not.
This is a part of Texas I have never visited. It would be very cool to see the dinosaur tracks. Good to know that end of summer is the best time to actually easily see the tracks. And a stop at Dinosaur World would be the perfect next stop. So funny to go to another historical era with a stop at the Outlaw Station. And then see some history at Barnard’s Mill & Art Museum. We would make sure to visit the second floor if we visit. Seems like there is a lot to keep you busy for a few days.
Yeah. This city is not well known like Austin or San Antonio. But it’s pack during Spring Break and Summer breaks. Locals and visitors from neighborhood states come for the dinosaur experiences. You need at least 2 days to do all these.